Islamabad: The AFL (Australian Football League) community in Pakistan is buzzing with excitement as they celebrate a historic achievement at the 2023 Asian AFL Championships held in Thailand last week. A contingent of both male and female players from Pakistan participated in the championship and left a lasting mark.
Michael Gallus, the Head Coach overseeing the Men’s and Women’s AFL Pakistan program, expressed his immense pride and admiration for the team’s performance. Gallus extended his heartfelt congratulations to AFL Pakistan President Sardar Tariq, whose unwavering financial support for the sport since 2017 has played a pivotal role in the program’s success. Tariq’s commitment to providing sporting opportunities for both male and female AFL players in Pakistan has been exceptional and highly commendable.
Acknowledging the relentless efforts of AFL Pakistan General Secretary Chaudry Zulfiqar Ali, Gallus credited his tireless work in promoting AFL across Pakistan. Ali’s dedication has extended from Karachi to Lahore and Islamabad, ensuring that the sport reaches every corner of the nation. He has been the driving force behind the growth of AFL in Pakistan.
Abid Hussain, the National Soccer Legend and Multan businessman, was also recognized for his contributions to the promotion and support of AFL in Pakistan.
Gallus applauded all the Pakistan AFL coaches and players for their role in creating a historic moment in the continued development of AFL in Pakistan. He particularly highlighted the achievements of the women’s team, which included original 2017 AFL International Cup players Assabooh Saeed, Samina Majeed Khan, Chaman Mushtaq, and Captain Farzana Bartool Kahout. Their remarkable performance at the Asian Championships, especially with two first-year players, Themina Khan and Samrah, being chosen as Pakistan’s best players and representatives of the All Asian team, promises an exciting future for women’s AFL in Pakistan.
The men’s team also garnered praise for their strong showing in Division 2, winning two games at the championships. Gallus singled out Mens Captain Tulha Mohammed for his outstanding performance in the ruck and for being named the best Pakistan Men’s Player, as well as earning a spot in the All Asian Representative Team.
With the 2022 AFL Asian Championships’ historic men’s victory in Bangkok, Thailand, AFL Pakistan’s future looks promising, with significant growth in the sport since 2017. AFL has emerged as the fastest-growing sport in Pakistan, driven by a burgeoning national interest and passion for AFL.
Looking ahead, the AFL Pakistan Men’s and Women’s Programs are poised for even greater success, with eyes set on the 2024 Asian AFL International Cup in Singapore in November next year. With continued interest and sponsorship, the potential for both female and male teams to shine on the international stage is very real.
The AFL community in Pakistan invites everyone to join in and be part of this exciting journey, as they continue to rise and rise in the world of AFL.
Michael Gallus, AFL Pakistan Head Mens and Womens Coach, summarized the sentiment, saying, “The future is bright for AFL Pakistan, and we welcome all to be a part of the exciting forward journey of AFL in Pakistan.”
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